Automatic signal.



11012 941 PATENTEDAUGJ, 1906.

w. A. TRUE.

AUTOMATIC I NAL. APPLICATION FILE-D NOV. 27. 1905.

- INVENTOR WITNESSES:

THE NORRIS PETERS rum wnsnmsrcn, n. c

I UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. '7, 1906.

Application filed November 27, 1905. Serial No. 289.207-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. TRUE, 'a

- citizen of the United States, residing at Rulo,

county of Richardson, and State of Nebraska, have invented a certain new and useful Im- .provement in Automatic Signals, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in automatic signals for locomotives, trolley-cars, or the like, and has for its object to provide a simple and effective mechanism by which the driver of a locomotive or electric car will be positively warned when approaching a crossing, bridge, station, or block regardless of-his inability to see the signals from any condition of the weather.

With these ends-in view my invention con,- sists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains mayunderstand how to makeand use the same, I will describe its construction indetail, referring by letter to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a front view of a locomotive, showing my improvement applied thereto; Fig. 2, a detail View of the mechanism for carrying out my invention; Fig. 3,, a section at the line a w of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a rod supported in suitable bearings B, attached to the locomotive, and C is an extension of said rod projecting into the cab and terminating in a lug D.

E represents a valve located in an air or steam pipe, so as to control the supply leading to the pipe F, which latter has connected therewith the whistle G.

The valve-stem H is provided with a latch I, pivoted thereto, and when this latch is turned down in a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 2, it lies in the path of the lug D, so that when this lug is moved in the proper direction it will also move the latch, which in turn will operate the valve E to supply air or steam to the whistle G, whereby the latter willbe sounded.

At the lower end of the rod A is secured a projection J, to which is hinged the arm K, as indicated at L. When this arm is in its lowered position, it projects outward from the locomotive and in line with the posts M, there being any number of these signal-posts located along the track'to effect the desired result.

A sleeve N is fitted around the arm K and projection J, so as to normally hold said arm in its lowered position; but when desired to put said arm out of action the sleeve is slid backward upon the projection, and the arm may be turned upward and held by means of the hook O, engaging with the eye P or any other suitable means for supporting the arm in its elevated position.

While my invention is used in connection with a block-signal system, the posts M may be pivoted and connected with the signaltowers by rods Q in order that these posts 'may be thrown into or outof the path of travel of the armK.

From the foregoing description the o eration of my invention will be as fol ows: Should a locomotive be provided with my improved mechanism and the posts M be set at suitable points, when the arm K is turned to its lowered position it will be impossible for the driver to pass these signal-posts without being warned of the fact, for-as each post is reached the arm coming in contact therewith will turn the rod A, so as to cause the extension 0 to operate the valve E, thereby sounding the whistle, and as the lug D bears upon but one side of the latch I and it is returned to its normal position by the coilspring R and rod A, said latch will not be happen to the driver the fireman would be quickly made aware of the fact by the continued sounding of the whistle; but in order that the driver may not through carelessness or oversight leave the latch I in its elevated position, so as to put the signal out of operation, I provide said latch with a spring adapted to hold it in its lowered position, thereby compelling the driver to hold the latch against said spring when putting the whistle out of action, so that as soon as the latch is elevated by the driver it will return to its normal lowered position.

When a road is equipped with a block-signal system and the posts M connected therewith, it follows that the attendants at the IIO signal-towers can at any time warn the driver that the succeeding block is not open, even though the driver is unable to distinguish the sight-signals.

In order that the whistle may not be sounded when the driver sees the signal which he is approaching, he has only to turn the latch I upward until it clears the lug D, and there after the actuation of the mechanism by the signal-posts will not affect the sounding of the Whistle.

When the locomotive is to be run back ward or go into the roundhouse, the arm K is swung upward and secured, as before described, which will avoid it striking signalposts.

It is obvious that my improvement can be used with equal efiects upon trolley-lines, in which case an-electric gong may take the place of the whistle. i

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is 1. In combination with a railway-motor, an alarm located in proximity to the driver of said motor, a pivoted latch adapted to control said alarm, a rod mounted upon the motor, an extension projecting from said rod in such manner as to actuate said latch, an arm pivoted to said rod for contacting with posts locatedat predetermined points along the road-bed whereby the alarm may be sounded and a spring for returning the rod to its normal position, as specified.

2. The herein-described combination of an alarm, a pivoted latch for controlling said alarm, said latch being normally held in operative position by spring action, a rod journaled upon the motor, a spring for holding said rod in its normal position, an extension carried by the upward end of said rod. adapted to actuate the latch in one direction, an arm pivoted to the lower end of the rod and a series of posts set at predetermined points along the road-bed whereby said arm Will be moved against the action of its spring when coming in contact with said posts to sound the alarm, as specified.

3. In an automatic alarm for railwaymotors, the combination of a whistle connected with the steam or airv ipe of said motor, a valve for controlling the supply of steam or air to said whistle, a latch pivoted to the stem of said valve, a spring for normally holding said latch in operative position, a rod journaled upon the. motor, a

spring for returning said rod to its normal position, an extension 0 projecting from the upward end of the rod, a lug formed upon said extension adapted to actuate the latch in one direction, a projection J secured to the lower end of the rod, an arm hinged to said projection, a sleeve fitted upon the arm and projecting so as to normally hold said arm in a lowered position, means for holding said arm out of operative position and a series of pivoted posts located at predetermined points along the road-bed and means for throwing said posts in or out of the path of travel of the arm, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM A. TRUE. 

